Much less drama in the conference semis...hope that changes in the next round. Grizzlies should cut an extra playoff share to the Rockets' Beverley for his crossbody block on Thunder's Westbrook...OKC got way too one-dimensional after his injury.

Much less drama in the conference semis...hope that changes in the next round. Grizzlies should cut an extra playoff share to the Rockets' Beverley for his crossbody block on Thunder's Westbrook...OKC got way too one-dimensional after his injury.

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That's what happens when you're a two man show instead of being a real team. Even when one of the Heat's big 3 goes down, they have guys that can step up and help them still win.

Miami would still make the finals if Wade or Bosh got hurt. Maybe not if LeBron since he's such a beast. But OKC made a big mistake when they gave up on Harden and kept that slug Kendrick Perkins instead.

But OKC made a big mistake when they gave up on Harden and kept that slug Kendrick Perkins instead.

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so the thinking in OKC was that they could've kept harden for one more year but he would've left after that one year and OKC would've gotten absolutely nothing for him. he already turned down one extension offer. so he was only staying for max money or close to max money.

so they got martin and i think a draft pick too. meh. the funny thing is if westbrook doesn't go down -- i think OKC management looks like the smartest guys in the world.

instead all the westbrook haters (myself included) look at him a little differently now. maybe A LOT better than we ever gave him credit for. watching durant alone has been like watching lebron in cleveland - so much talent, so little support.

That's what happens when you're a two man show instead of being a real team. Even when one of the Heat's big 3 goes down, they have guys that can step up and help them still win.

Miami would still make the finals if Wade or Bosh got hurt. Maybe not if LeBron since he's such a beast. But OKC made a big mistake when they gave up on Harden and kept that slug Kendrick Perkins instead.

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Memphis just played bigger and better. Harden wouldn't have made a difference since you're sacrificing offense for interior defense. And Kevin Durant shooting about 25 percent doesn't help either. Tayshaun, Tony "Smith", Randolph, and Gasol just completely neutralized him.

so the thinking in OKC was that they could've kept harden for one more year but he would've left after that one year and OKC would've gotten absolutely nothing for him. he already turned down one extension offer. so he was only staying for max money or close to max money.

so they got martin and i think a draft pick too. meh. the funny thing is if westbrook doesn't go down -- i think OKC management looks like the smartest guys in the world.

instead all the westbrook haters (myself included) look at him a little differently now. maybe A LOT better than we ever gave him credit for. watching durant alone has been like watching lebron in cleveland - so much talent, so little support.

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They resigned Perkins a few years ago, which left them without the cap t room to keep harden. Who'd you rather have? The answer is obvious.

they should've amnestied perk and kept the big three (actually big 4 with ibaka) for another year or two. even if they paid some luxury tax. they are spending $12+ mil a year for perkins for 2 pts a game and 3 boards these playoffs.

The thing with Harden, is that they dont make the Finals last year without him. He presents a skill set maybe 5 people in the league have. The ability to shoot threes and pentrate and finish att he rim. You let him walk for 1 year of Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and a mid Rd pick.

They were a one dimensinal team with Westrbook and Durant. Harden gave them another element and gave the team different options. I really dont now if they get by memphis even with Westbrook.

OKC should have stood pat on Harden made another run with those three saw what they had and adjust accordingly.

If Harden steppud and became so good then at that point they could have pulled off a sign and trade.

The Perk Amnesty could have happened after this year to clear space to keep Harden if they wanted to.

They took a gamble that Ibaka would step up and fill some offensive void. but he is the same player regardless.

Memphis just played bigger and better. Harden wouldn't have made a difference since you're sacrificing offense for interior defense. And Kevin Durant shooting about 25 percent doesn't help either. Tayshaun, Tony "Smith", Randolph, and Gasol just completely neutralized him.

If these guys can play as well during the next regular season as they did during these playoffs, they have a real chance for 60 wins, which means spending more time at home and a real chance for a title.

The TNT guys keep saying GS needs another good big man though, and they may be right.

If these guys can play as well during the next regular season as they did during these playoffs, they have a real chance for 60 wins, which means spending more time at home and a real chance for a title.

The TNT guys keep saying GS needs another good big man though, and they may be right.

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Pretty much everyone has been saying that. Bogut needs to take more shots and start building his offensive confidence and consistency. And David Lee, well that was just bad luck, because before he tore his hip flexor, the dude was a double double machine. But I give him a ton of credit for playing on one leg.

Pretty much everyone has been saying that. Bogut needs to take more shots and start building his offensive confidence and consistency. And David Lee, well that was just bad luck, because before he tore his hip flexor, the dude was a double double machine. But I give him a ton of credit for playing on one leg.

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Magic Johnson (and Im a LA fan) sometimes sprouts a lot of BS... he said the Warriors needed a low post scorer next season. When David Lee (20/10 guy, all star) is on that team. Also said GS is strictly a jump shooting team. wow.

Magic Johnson (and Im a LA fan) sometimes sprouts a lot of BS... he said the Warriors needed a low post scorer next season. When David Lee (20/10 guy, all star) is on that team. Also said GS is strictly a jump shooting team. wow.

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He is right. The Warriors got killed inside.

Lee is fine, but I think they need a more physical C. Also, Lee played hurt as well and only averaged 5 and 5 for the playoffs.

The Spurs simply adjusted by clamping down on the shooters on the 3 point line, since the Warriors had no inside out game.

He said they needed sign one over the summer! When Bogut and Lee would be healthy!

Even when he wasn't 100%, Bogut was very physical and outplayed Tim Duncan at times on the glass.

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Bogut hasn't proven to be a legit low-post threat since returning. So if he isn't going to be an offensive threat, then yeah Warriors need another big who is a threat. In that series, he was nothing more than a more mobile version of Biedrins and all he did was clog up the middle for rebounds.

I was disappointed with Bogut because if your 20/10 guy is out, you need to step up and fill that void.

Bogut hasn't proven to be a legit low-post threat since returning. So if he isn't going to be an offensive threat, then yeah Warriors need another big who is a threat. In that series, he was nothing more than a more mobile version of Biedrins and all he did was clog up the middle for rebounds.

I was disappointed with Bogut because if your 20/10 guy is out, you need to step up and fill that void.

Outplayed Tim Duncan? Please...

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Duncan was great again yesterday, regardless of age, his performances thist post season have been huge.

Do you think the Spurs could beat the Heat, if thats the finals? The Heat do struggle at times against dominant big men, Parker always finds a way to get it done, the defence of Leonard on James could be a factor.

Duncan was great again yesterday, regardless of age, his performances thist post season have been huge.

Do you think the Spurs could beat the Heat, if thats the finals? The Heat do struggle at times against dominant big men, Parker always finds a way to get it done, the defence of Leonard on James could be a factor.

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Honestly, I think either Spurs or the Grizzlies will have a GREAT chance against the Heat.

Spurs:
Guards all day long, Parker and Ginobili will pick them apart because they'll get to the paint. And LeBron can only guard one of them at a time. D-Wade can't stay with them, not with that bad knee. Mario Chalmer and the rest of Heat's guards don't stay with anyone, period. The Spurs may not necessarily kill the Heat in the paint, Duncan-Bosh is a wash, but they have enough big guys to throw at Bosh. The Spurs will most likely out-rebound the Heat too with their smaller lineup.

Grizzlies:
More or less the same story with Spurs. They have better guard play. Also, they can throw top defenders Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince at D-Wade and LeBron. In the paint, the Grizzlies should absolutely kill them with Randolph and Marc Gasol. Not to mention Heat's inability to rebound because of the small line up.

The common theme here is that, the Heat will get out-rebounded and sorely out-played at the guard positions. Both teams are bigger and can definitely neutralize any post threats the Heat can come up with.

Heat:
They have LeBron James, and that's scary. I'm pretty sure you can plug LeBron James with just about any team and they'll get to the Finals. Even the Bobcats.

Pacers:
Let's not count out the Pacers, their top notch defense and balanced offensive threats will be a handful for anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pacers beat the Heat in 6 or 7 games.

Honestly, I think either Spurs or the Grizzlies will have a GREAT chance against the Heat.

Spurs:
Guards all day long, Parker and Ginobili will pick them apart because they'll get to the paint. And LeBron can only guard one of them at a time. D-Wade can't stay with them, not with that bad knee. Mario Chalmer and the rest of Heat's guards don't stay with anyone, period. The Spurs may not necessarily kill the Heat in the paint, Duncan-Bosh is a wash, but they have enough big guys to throw at Bosh. The Spurs will most likely out-rebound the Heat too with their smaller lineup.

Grizzlies:
More or less the same story with Spurs. They have better guard play. Also, they can throw top defenders Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince at D-Wade and LeBron. In the paint, the Grizzlies should absolutely kill them with Randolph and Marc Gasol. Not to mention Heat's inability to rebound because of the small line up.

The common theme here is that, the Heat will get out-rebounded and sorely out-played at the guard positions. Both teams are bigger and can definitely neutralize any post threats the Heat can come up with.

Heat:
They have LeBron James, and that's scary. I'm pretty sure you can plug LeBron James with just about any team and they'll get to the Finals. Even the Bobcats.

Pacers:
Let's not count out the Pacers, their top notch defense and balanced offensive threats will be a handful for anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pacers beat the Heat in 6 or 7 games.

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Your right, the Pacers gave the Heat a scare last season and I think they have improved since then. Hibbert showed some good form against the Knicks, West and Hansbrough is a pretty deep set of bigs aswell.

The huge thing for the Heat in last years finals was their 3 point shooting, Battier and Miller hardly seemed to miss. I think Battier and Allen were around 20% against the Bulls, if that continues they could struggle against all 3 teams left. As you said, James on his own will win games, but with Wade struggling with his injury and them being cold from 3 point range, it's a big ask.

Bogut hasn't proven to be a legit low-post threat since returning. So if he isn't going to be an offensive threat, then yeah Warriors need another big who is a threat. In that series, he was nothing more than a more mobile version of Biedrins and all he did was clog up the middle for rebounds.

I was disappointed with Bogut because if your 20/10 guy is out, you need to step up and fill that void.

Outplayed Tim Duncan? Please...

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Agree.

Bogut AND Lee I think is a bad Combo. They need a guy next to Lee who plays bigger. Bogut could get healthier, but I am not sure it matters. The main issue is Beidrins. He is very expensive and is horrible. They wont be able to move him and free up space for a 3rd big who would do a better job for them in a 3 man frontcourt rotation.

If you are going to shoot J's, you have to have interior offense to keep a D honest. I know that all too well. With Dwight, we destroyed any team that could not guard him 1 on 1. But any team that could beat us since it was easy for them to clamp down on the shooters.

I think the Pacers can take this series to 6 or 7 games. Not sure if anyone can beat the Heat. What they will probably do is the carmelo strategy, where they will give lebron his points, and try and shut down everyone else. Basically force lebron to win the series.

Hibbert is going to need to dominate inside on offense. The Pacers could have swept the Knicks if Hibbert had a better series, but Chandler is a solid defender. The Heat should not have anyone who can deal with Hibbert underneath.

Bogut AND Lee I think is a bad Combo. They need a guy next to Lee who plays bigger. Bogut could get healthier, but I am not sure it matters. The main issue is Beidrins. He is very expensive and is horrible. They wont be able to move him and free up space for a 3rd big who would do a better job for them in a 3 man frontcourt rotation.

I think DLee and AndrewBogut are going to be fine together. It might free up Lee to go 20 and 8, while Bogut seems happy with 12 and 12.
Bogut this season is without his right hand. And a sorta gimpy leg. He's averaged 16 pts his career, so he can score from the low post. Obviously, he's no long distance shooter.
Both Lee and Bogut, when healthy, can score from inside the paint. Both pass well.
That should free up some 3 point room for the skinny guys.

I think DLee and AndrewBogut are going to be fine together. It might free up Lee to go 20 and 8, while Bogut seems happy with 12 and 12.
Bogut this season is without his right hand. And a sorta gimpy leg. He's averaged 16 pts his career, so he can score from the low post. Obviously, he's no long distance shooter.
Both Lee and Bogut, when healthy, can score from inside the paint. Both pass well.
That should free up some 3 point room for the skinny guys.

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I agree, but he hasn't shown such form since those injuries. I'll wait and see.